How Do You Do? Podcast

Vivian Lee is a TV writer who's written on LOST IN SPACE, THE DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE, and the upcoming COWBOY BEBOP on Netflix. Originally from Loveland, Colorado, Vivian spent most of her childhood either working in her parents' Chinese restaurant, or being stuck at home, watching a bunch of TV shows as a latch-key kid with her little brother. Fascinated by the human psyche at an early age, Vivian was determined to become a psychiatrist. However, fate dealt her a cruel hand during freshman year in college when she got an F in Quantum Physics, after which she immediately course corrected her life and became a film major. Vivian currently lives in Los Angeles with her screenwriter husband and their three-year-old son.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Vivian to share how she approaches script notes from showrunners and development execs (2:50), how she goes about pitching ideas in writers rooms (15:56), advice on how to respectfully stand up for nuanced storytelling with diverse characters (20:15), and more. 

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Travis Levius is a writer, editor, content creator and hospitality consultant. After quitting his teaching job in Atlanta to pursue the unknown across the pond, he somehow stumbled upon a career that's brought him on Indonesian yachts, face-to-face with Easter Island's mysterious moai and in "Prince William and Princess Kate honeymooned here" villas in the Seychelles. His writing has appeared in Conde Naste Traveler, Travel + Leisure, CNN, Lonely Planet, Vogue, National Geographic Travel, and others.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Travis to share the preparation he does before visiting a destination and rituals he does upon arrival (1:40), his writing process (7:24), how one can get good at travel writing (13:28), and more.  

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Starting comedy in Atlanta, GA and now based in Los Angeles, Neel Nanda has performed all over the country with some of comedy's biggest acts. Neel has most recently performed stand up on ABC's JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE and has acted & performed on COMEDY CENTRAL's ADAM DEVINE'S HOUSE PARTY. In 2018 he was a featured comedian on AMAZON PRIME’S INSIDE JOKE with Asif Ali. Neel has also made notable appearances on MTV and on IFC's GARKUNKEL AND OATES SHOW. Other networks where you can catch his stand up comedy include HULU's COMING TO THE STAGE and several episodes of the series FLOPHOUSE for VICELAND directed by Lance Bangs.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Neel to share how he develops his material (1:16), what it was like doing a set on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (13:15), how social media has influenced his creative process (19:40), and more.

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Suehyla El-Attar was born in Mississippi to Muslim parents, who migrated from Egypt before becoming naturalized American citizens. She is an actor-writer-director who has learned to embrace a hyphenate existence, and lives happily with her fiancé and their two cats in Decatur, Georgia.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Suehyla to break down auditions for audiobook narration (5:07), how she prepares for narrating audiobooks and what her recording process looks like (10:50), how she gets into a creative headspace (22:20), and more. 

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Kat Hong is a LA staff writer for The Infatuation. She was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, a small, beautiful town that has maybe 3-4 restaurant openings a year, max. Now living in Los Angeles, Kat likes to fill her time with marveling at the wonder of flight, listening to podcasts, applying for Mensa, getting rejected from Mensa, and perpetually existing on the brink of joining a pyramid scheme. Her work has been featured on Whetstone Magazine’s Point of Origin podcast, Earios’ Filling The Void and The Margaret Cho, Real Food Real Stories’ The Curious Eater, and The Infatuation’s Notcast.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Kat to share how she writes restaurant reviews in The Infatuation's accessible tone, navigates the fine line between harmless sarcastic humor versus hurtful criticism, explores the booming L.A. pop-up scene, and more. 

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Jordan Banafsheha is the founder of icepop, a digital marketing firm helping great products and companies grow. He previously worked in Product at Tinder and was a part of the founding team at Verishop. He studied Computer Science and Business Administration at USC.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Jordan about the role that data plays in his approach to digital marketing (7:00); how he differentiates his approach depending on his client's industry and whether their brand is new, traditional, or trendy (14:10); big changes taking place in the digital advertising industry and what they mean for consumers, (26:01); and more. 

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Danny Licht is a painter and the author of Cooking As Though You Might Cook Again. He lives in Los Angeles.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Danny to share how his experience at Alice Waters' Chez Panisse inspired his fondness of simple cooking; his writing process for his new cookbook (2:00), Cooking As Thought You Might Cook Again (6:46); how he's come to process the inevitable mistakes that arise when cooking (15:46), and more. 

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New Jersey-born Rick Arline got his first taste of hospitality while working in a country club in high school. After getting a communications degree from the University of Miami, Rick worked in radio, then shifted back towards hospitality, his true passion. After falling in love with wine and spirits, Rick became a Certified Sommelier in 2012. Moving to Los Angeles in 2013, Rick has been involved with the wine programs at several restaurants and hotels, including Nick & Stef’s, Ink, Montage Beverly Hills and Hotel Bel-Air before becoming the Wine Director at the acclaimed, James Beard-nominated Auburn. After Auburn’s closure due to Covid-19, Rick opened his own wine bar in West Hollywood, called Fellow Traveler. Its selection of natural wines and delicious menu have already earned Fellow Traveler a spot on The Infatuation’s Hit List of Best Restaurants in Los Angeles.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Rick about natural wine and what makes Rick enjoy it as much as he does (2:15); his new natural wine bar, Fellow Traveler (8:08); how his time at Paris wine bars influenced Rick's philosophy that wine should be fun rather than intimidating (12:59), and more. 

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Scout Sobel started Scout’s Agency after recognizing the power of podcasts as a form of public relations. She set out to amplify female voices and brands by organizing podcast drives with clients like Catt Sadler, Lauren McGoodwin, and Cathy Heller along with traditional PR services for brands like Bala and Remedy. Scout’s Agency opens up new audiences and garners up exposure for their clients so that they can tell their story across digital fronts.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Scout about how she recognized the power of podcasts as a form of PR and launched Scout's Agency without any prior PR experience (1:30), how she crafts her pitches and how the pitches vary depending on the client & what she's pitching them for (8:18), how she manages clients' expectations and conveys a desirable yet realistic ROI (15:05), and more. 

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Alaina Hartley is an investor at venture capital firm Greycroft, whose investments have included Bumble, Goop, and Venmo, among others. Prior to joining Greycroft, Alaina worked at Bain & Company, where she consulted across Bain’s private equity, technology & media, and retail practices. Previously, Alaina drove go-to-market and brand strategy initiatives for Snap Inc.’s first hardware product, Spectacles, earning fourteen nominations and six wins at the 2016 Cannes Lions awards. Alaina holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Southern California. She is also an active member of the Junior League.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Alaina about how she evaluates which founders & start-ups to invest in, the different steps of the investments process, how she guides portfolio companies, and more. It turns out that there's a lot more to investing than what we've seen on Shark Tank!

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Dan Brunn founded his Los Angeles-based firm, Dan Brunn Architecture, in 2005. Widely published, Dan’s work includes retail, hospitality, cultural, and residential projects. His first home project, Flip Flop, has appeared in more that 135 websites and publications internationally. He’s earned multiple design awards from the American Institute of Architects-Los Angeles for his design of Melrose Ave’s RTA store and Bridge House. Dan is a member of the American Institute of Architects and is an Interior Design Magazine Person of the Year Honoree.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Dan to share how he embraces natural light and nature in creating spaces with net-zero design (4:24), the unique creative collaboration between architect and photographer (17:41), the difference between his approach to residential vs. commercial projects (21:13), and more. 

Stephen D. Smith, PhD, is an Adjunct Professor of Religion at the University of Southern California and the Executive Director of the USC Shoah Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to making audio-visual interviews with survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust and other genocides a compelling voice for education and action. He also holds the UNESCO Chair on Genocide Education. Stephen founded the UK Holocaust Centre in Nottinghamshire, England and co-founded the Aegis Trust for the prevention of crimes against humanity and genocide. In recognition of his work, Stephen has become a member of the Order of the British Empire and received the Interfaith Gold Medallion.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Stephen to share what it was like being interviewed for the executive director job by Shoah Foundation founder Steven Spielberg and what the job entails (2:13); the metrics he uses to evaluate the organization's success (19:32), how he interviews survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides (23:59), and more. 

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Holly Hubsher is the Creative Executive at Anton, a film and television financier. She helps oversee development, production and acquisitions of the entire Anton slate, including the Gerard Butler action movie GREENLAND that just came out on PVOD. Before Anton, Holly worked at Universal Studios in the film development and production department, assisting on films like MAMMA MIA 2 and Malcolm Lee’s NIGHT SCHOOL. Holly started her career at William Morris Endeavor in the motion picture literary department after graduating from the University of Southern California.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Holly to share what she looks for in scripts and how her evaluation process has evolved over time (3:22), collaborating with filmmakers and how she approaches giving creative notes (13:22), the keys to a successful pitch (30:30), and more.

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Josh Zad opened his first Alfred Coffee location in 2013 on tree-lined Melrose Place with the trademarked catchphrase, "But First, Coffee.” With his knack for eye-catching design and innate understanding of customer wants, Zad has developed Alfred into the standard bearer on how to successfully marry a brick-and-mortar offering with an enduring, memorable digital presence. After successfully growing to 16 locations now across the U.S. and Japan, Josh has more recently shifted gears and launched his newest concept – Calidad Beer, a Mexican-style lager with a laid-back, California attitude. Less than one year after launch, Calidad can be found in over 900 locations across Southern California, from Whole Foods to Disneyland. He has his B.A. in Economics from Yale University and his M.B.A. from UCLA Anderson in Finance/Real Estate.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Josh to share how he comes up with the vision for his brands and ensures that his visions are reflected in branding & design (2:23), how Calidad's pre-launch campaign built excitement around the brand before its product was available to enjoy (23:05), the story of how Alfred almost appeared in the Entourage movie and what the mishap taught Josh (29:52), and more.  

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Originally from Chicago, Rachel McClusky has been in the fitness world for over seven years. Her passion for teaching stemmed from an extensive background in performance and the belief that powerful change can occur through movement. Rachel is the creator of the Recharge Method that is a blend of breathwork, meditation, and movement to create a mind and body release. She is also the founder of Recharge Wellness Co. that hosts event and retreats for women all over the country. Her passion for connecting women in a safe space has created an incredible community throughout the world.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Rachel to share how she's carved out an accessible space in the wellness world through her Recharge Method classes and Recharge Wellness Co. retreats (8:30), mental health practices that have proven beneficial during the pandemic (22:27), tips for those who may be hesitant to try a new wellness practice or struggling to return to their pre-pandemic fitness routine (29:12), and more. 

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Maxwell Reis is the beverage director at Gracias Madre, which has locations in West Hollywood and Newport Beach. Max fell in love with agave spirits during his 10 years spent working behind LA bars, and solidified that love by taking every opportunity to experience mezcal and tequila’s production first hand. When he’s not in Oaxaca filling water bottles full of mezcal, he’s in Los Angeles, preaching ethical agave practices and making some of the best cocktails in the city.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Max to share how he's developed Gracias Madre's zero-waste beverage program that's proven to be better for both the environment and the restaurant's bottom line, how he sources ethical agave producers and how we can do so in our own liquor purchases, how he creates cocktails, and more.  

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PK&J Hospitality Group's Phil Kastel is a chef and restaurant consultant. For over twelve years, Phil served as Executive Vice President of Culinary for L.A.-based Grill Concepts, Inc., where he was responsible for culinary operations of twenty-nine restaurants nationwide, including the Public School brand. Prior to Grill Concepts, Phil served as Executive Chef of Hillstone Restaurant Group, where he was responsible for kitchen operations, menu development and training. Phil is currently the Creative Chef at The Milky Way, the beloved Pico-Robertson kosher restaurant that’s owned by the Spielbergs. In his current role, he’s jumping at the challenge of thoughtfully redesigning the space and creating a New American kosher menu while paying homage to the legacy and unique tastes of Ms. Leah Adler.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Phil to share his approach to developing menus and what it's been like to create one for a kosher restaurant with a storied legacy (5:32),  the role of food influencers, social media, and word-of-mouth in helping the restaurant succeed and engage a younger demographic (21:53), how he's led The Milky Way in adapting to the challenges of the pandemic (27:59), and more. 

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Francesco Sinatra is the CEO of Pasta Sisters. Francesco left his home in Padova, Italy in 2008 to move to Los Angeles with $1,000 in his pocket, never imagining that he would end up living what he now calls the "American dream.” As CEO at Pasta Sisters, Francesco oversees the day-to-day operations of the gourmet Italian deli and fresh pasta concept that first opened its doors at their Pico Blvd. location in 2015 and second location in Culver City in 2018. From hiring staff, to training, operations, human resources, financial management and more, Francesco is responsible for guaranteeing that the restaurant, staff, and his own family are running smoothly on all engines. Today, Francesco’s entrepreneurship and leadership married with his mother’s dynamic cooking and his sisters’ formidable skills as Creative Director and Office Manager blend perfectly to ensure the continued success of Pasta Sisters.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Francesco to share the origin story of Pasta Sisters and how the menu was crafted around the recipes of his mother, Chef Paola Da Re (2:30); the keys to running a family business and how they've navigated the challenges imposed on the restaurant industry by the pandemic (21:00); how his experience working his way up in restaurants, starting as a busboy, has given him valuable perspective in his current role as CEO (29:44); and more. 

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Neda Maghbouleh, PhD, is a sociologist and the Canada Research Chair in Migration, Race, and Identity. She studies the racialization of Iranian, Syrian and other Middle Eastern & North African newcomers in the U.S. and Canada. She’s currently an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto Mississauga and is among the graduate faculty at the University of Toronto St. George. Her book, The Limits of Whiteness: Iranian Americans and the Everyday Politics of Race, was published by Stanford University Press in 2017. 

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Neda to share how she drew on both empirical evidence (i.e. laws and court rulings) and anecdotal evidence (her interviews with numerous Iranian-Americans) to write a fascinating narrative (9:48); how institutions and individuals can engage in aesthetic racism, as was the case when the City of Beverly Hills banned the construction of columns in order to curb the development of "ugly Persian houses" (16:20); the differences in minorities in America and Canada grapple with their racial identities (23:00), and more. 

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Sophia Parsa wears many hats: Head of Community at FabFitFun, co-founder of the Mountain Gate series, angel investor, and a Forbes 30 under 30 co-chair. During the pandemic, she’s recently co-founded two exciting ventures, Boxxie Party and Golden Rice Co. Boxxie Party delivers themed table scapes, while Golden Rice Co. is a Persian food pop-up that was just listed on The Infatuation’s “Best Pop-Ups in L.A. right now” and received a glowing review by L.A. Times restaurant critic Bill Addison on his Instagram.

In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Sophia to share her experience venturing into the food world by launching a pop-up during the pandemic (10:32), how she manages her time between her many roles (20:46), her approach to angel investing (28:00), and more. 

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Jonathan Kiros is a recording artist & songwriter who makes music and performs under the name, "Jono." In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Jono to share his songwriting process and what it's like when he's writing songs for other artists (4:58), how he comes up with ideas for music videos and crafts his narrative as an artist (15:47), how he gets out of a creative rut (32:07), and more. 

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Claude M. Steele is an American social psychologist, a Professor of Psychology at Stanford University, and author of Whistling Vivaldi and Other Clues to How Stereotypes Affect Us. In this episode of How Do You Do? Podcast, Ben asks Dr. Steele to break down his research on stereotype threat, share how he comes up with experiments, offer solutions for how individuals and organizations can combat the pressure that comes with the stereotypes we face, and more. 

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Improv performers and writing duo Anthony Gioe and Nick Mandernach met at the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles, where they wrote and performed in a series of one-act plays before writing for TV full-time. Their credits include People of Earth, Young Sheldon, I Feel Bad, Upload, and they currently write on Duncanville. They sit down with Ben to share how they sharpened their improv skills, how a background in improv has helped them in their TV writing and pitching ideas in a writers room,  qualities that have been a key part of their creative partnership, and more! 

Current curiosities:

Ben: The Big Short / macroeconomics

Anthony: Voynich manuscript

Nick: “Digression Personified: Whitman, The New York School, and the Drift of Poetry” by Srikanth Reddy

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Sara Saedi is an author of YA novels (Never Ever, The Lost Kids) and a memoir (Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card), as well as a TV writer (credits include CW's Katy Keene and iZombie, ABC's Grand Hotel).  She sits down with Ben to discuss how she figured out the structure for her memoir (10:54); how her background as a creative executive has affected her process as a writer (20:45); and how she writes for T.V. (33:57). 

Current curiosities:

Ben: The Limits of Whiteness: Iranian Americans and the Everyday Politics of Race by Neda Maghbouleh

Sara: Positive psychology

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Jeff Gordinier is the food and drinks editor of Esquire, a frequent contributor to the New York Times, and an author (2008's X Saves the World and 2019's Hungry: Eating, Road-Tripping, and Risking It All with the Greatest Chef in the World). 

During this episode, he shares how reading poetry and writing postcards get his creative juices going (8:30), the value he’s found in writing his pieces and books in longhand (30:32), his approach to writing profiles (42:30), and more!

Current curiosities:

Ben: On Writing by Stephen King

Jeff: Evil Geniuses by Kurt Andersen

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Haley Boston is a Los Angeles-based film & TV writer, who recently wrote on Amazon's HUNTERS and Netflix’s BRAND NEW CHERRY FLAVOR and was listed on the 2019 Young & Hungry list, for Hollywood's Top New Writers. She sits down with Ben to talk about how she determines if her writing is scary enough (13:30), how she processes notes from producers & executives (32:00), the importance of leaning into one's strength when in a writers room (40:46), and more! 

Current curiosities:

Ben: The impact of streaming services

Haley: How to avoid dangerous situations

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Rowan Ricardo Phillips is the award-winning author of three books of poems (Heaven, The Ground, and Living Weapon) and two essay collections (The Circuit and When Blackness Rhymes with Blackness), as well as a professor at Princeton University and Williams College. 

During this episode, he shares his writing process for The Circuit and Living Weapon, his approach to writing poetry vs. prose, how he comes up with titles for his poems, and more!

Current curiosities:

Ben: 2020 NBA Playoffs

Rowan: Empathy

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Nikoli Partiyeli is a Los Angeles based creative who excels in creative direction by using his practices in photography, design, and videography by always putting his touch on each project. Partiyeli has worked with artists such as Wallows, Quincy, and Pixel Terror and has worked with other creative projects, like Hotpoint and The Luna Collective. Most recently he’s been on the road with Wallows as their tour photographer and BTS videographer, highlighting their moments on and off the road. Whether it be photo, design or branding, Partiyeli is able to tap into a variety of creative pursuits for his work. Partiyeli also creates music under the name Elais Park, bringing in a variety of sonic elements to forge his unique sound. Partiyeli is always up to something and continues to raise the bar for himself and his peers.

On this episode, he shares how he crafts his visual style, how he collaborates with artists, his creative process when he's making his own music, and more!

Current curiosities:

Ben: Palm Springs (Hulu film)

Nikoli: Umbrella Academy comic series

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Deja Riley is the founder of Deja Riley Athletics, a health, wellness & fitness company that provides services, products and inspiration for people of all ages, levels and walks of life. After a decade in the dance industry -- dancing for artists such as Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Trey Songz & Lady Gaga -- she transitioned into the fitness space, where she is now a host on PopSugar and her own YouTube channel. 

Brooklyn Sherman is the creator of the social media account, The Way We Met, which currently has over 800K followers between Instagram and Facebook. The platform shares the accounts of how couples met, but moreover, showcases modern-day love and relationships. Brooklyn sits down with Ben to talk about how she gets strangers to open up about their relationships (10:20), how she's seen dating evolve (26:17), how she often finds herself in the role of impromptu therapist (31:18), and more! 

[NOTE: This episode was recorded  before COVID-19.]

Current curiosities:

Ben: Improv

Brooklyn: Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari

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Tek Mehreteab is the co-CEO of Chado Tea Room. Originally from Eritrea, he was initially hired as a cook at Chado in 1999 when he walked into the original L.A. location on West 3rd. St. and he was subsequently promoted by founders Devan and Reena Shah to run the business with them. Tek sits down with Ben to talk about his focus on customer education and the story behind each tea (13:17), tea & chocolate pairings (23:30), what he looks for in teas (34:46), and more!

Current curiosities:

Brig Muñoz-Liebowitz is a TV comedy writer, whose credits include NBC's Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Pop TV's One Day at a Time, and Disney+ Diary of a Future President. She sits down with Ben to talk about her writing process for pilots (13:53), her prep for the beginning of a writers room (a.k.a. "blue sky-ing"), her approach to pitching (40:12), and more! 

Current curiosities:

Tanisha Townsend is the Chief Wine Officer of lifestyle agency, Girl Meets Glass, through which she leads wine classes and tours in Paris (and virtually). She sits down with Ben to talk about questions she asks winemakers during tastings (16:45), factors she considers when she’s judging wines (30:54), why she values the story behind a bottle of wine (41:27), and more!

Current curiosities:

Ben: Taste the Nation (Hulu)

Tanisha: Online learning

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Ivana Martinez is a talent manager at Fourward, where she represents actors. She sits down with Ben to talk about how she's channeled her love of actors into being a talent rep, as opposed to a casting director (22:30); the enlightening perspective on rejection that she communicates to her clients after an audition that doesn't result in the role (32:11); how she gives constructive criticism to her clients (45:53); and more!

Current curiosities:

Clay Williams is Brooklyn-based photographer specializing in food, drinks and events. He's also the co-founder of Black Food Folks, a fellowship of Black professionals working in food, food service and food media. He sits down to talk with Ben about how we can be better allies in the food world (21:09), what distinguishes food photography from other forms of photography (36:35), his editing process after a shoot (48:45), and more! 

Current Curiosities:

Ben: Montreal bagels

Clay: Increasing representation in food media

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Mat Harawitz is a comedy writer. He sits down with Ben to talk about how doing stand-up has made him a better writer (16:41), his experience writing for roasts (34:27); what he's learned from transitioning into writing sitcoms (43:34); and more!

Current Curiosities:

Ben: Einstein by Walter Isaacson

Lea Faith Williams is the owner & founder of New York City-based Let's Talk Wine, where she facilitates tastings, tours, and events. She sits down with Ben to talk about how she educates people about wine in an accessible way (20:43), dos and don'ts of wine & food pairings (26:53), what she looks for in wines (35:50), and more! 

Curiosities:

Ben: Facial recognition technology

Lea: Dining & hospitality in a post-COVID world

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Alex Banayan is the author of #1 international bestseller, The Third Door: The Wild Quest to Uncover How the World's Most Successful People Launched Their Careers.  He sits down with Ben to talk about how the Harry Potter book series has inspired his writing style (18:20), where meditation fits into his creative process (25:24), how he structures his days when writing (27:45), and more! 

Current Curiosities (note: this episode was recorded before COVID-19):

Ben: Whoop

Alex: Stand-up comedy

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Jessica Mehraban is a Registered Nutritional Health Coach and the creator of Healthy Life by Jess, an online community for people to gain valuable and easy-to-follow tips they can use in everyday life. She sits down with Ben to talk about tips for unplugging (14:25), how she helps introduce her clients to transformational lifestyle changes (22:52), resources she utilizes in her own wellness practice (35:24), and more!

Current curiosities (note: this episode was recorded before COVID-19):

Ben: Intermittent fasting

Jessica: Gut health 

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Jerron Horton is a stand-up comedian, TV writer, and actor. He sits down with Ben to talk about how he balances his time & energy between working in a writers room by day and doing stand-up in the evening (18:26), how he deals with hecklers (25:06), how he bounces back from a rough set (39:18), and more! 

Current curiosities:

Ben: Women of Troy (HBO)

Jerron: What compels police brutality toward African-Americans? 

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Michael Radnia is the co-founder of Besa Mi Vino, a canned wine brand featuring organic, vegan beverages. He sits down with Ben to talk about how sustainability was the key to launching his business in an industry where he didn't have prior expertise (9:09), the value in offering equity to influencers through the brand's Influencer Ambassador Program (28:15), the mindful way he structures his time in order to grow his business (37:28), and more!  

Current curiosities:

Ben: Natural wines

Michael: The increase in veganism 

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Gail M. Davis is an interior designer who has been featured in House Beautiful, ADPro, domino magazine, Design Sponge, and more. She sits down with Ben to talk about lessons she's learned from running her own business, Gail Davis Designs (16:10);  her A-Z process of working with clients (22:16); her recommendation to anyone seeking the right interior designer for their home (33:30); and more!

Current curiosities:

Peiman Raf is the co-founder of Madhappy, an optimistic lifestyle label. He sits down with Ben to talk about the A-Z process of creating the brand’s clothing (13:10), how he & his co-founders have navigated various challenges from their launch date until now (30:34), how the brand is facilitating a dialogue around mental health (43:42), and more!

Current curiosities:

Shannon Toobi is an Account Supervisor at JS2 PR, where her clients include Pasta Sisters, The Original Farmers Market, Los Angeles Times The Taste, and The Milky Way, among others. She sits down with Ben to talk about her strategies to attract customers to restaurants (7:39), collaborating with restaurateurs on activations (22:19), how social media has changed food & beverage PR (41:57), and more!  

Current curiosities: 

Ben: Cooking 

Shannon: Experiential dining & hospitality  

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Camille Shooshani is an Iranian-American writer & director and the filmmaker behind the documentary, LÉA & I, now streaming on Netflix. She sits down with Ben to talk about her preparations for filming on the road (11:49), the process for writing and voicing the narrations in the documentary (25:13), what it was like shooting Ayahuasca ceremonies that she participated in (36:13), and more! 

Current curiosities:

Joshua Javaheri is the CEO & founder of Lucky Day, a free mobile app where users can play casino-style games and have the chance to win real money.  He sits down with Ben to talk about when he first recognized that his idea for the app was worth pursuing (10:10), how he got his initial round of seed funding (24:50), how he tailors his company's job descriptions & promotions to keep people in positions that they're passionate about (50:30), and more!  

Current curiosities: 

Ben: Global Positioning System (GPS) 

Joshua: Cold-calls & emails  

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Julie Goler is a leading book group facilitator in Los Angeles and an educator of nearly three decades, in which capacity she designed and spearheads the common book program called The Hero Project for Beverly Hills Unified School District. She sits down with Ben to talk about how she structures book club meetings to build a sense of community (18:11), her suggestions for starting a book club that will last (33:25), how she fosters a love of reading in her students (37:16), and more!  

Current curiosities: 

Ben: Speed-reading

Julie: Lena Waithe

Books referenced in this episode (in order of mention): A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens; Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand; Born a Crime by Trevor Noah; Know My Name by Chanel Miller, She Said by Jodi Kantor & Megan Twohey; Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout; A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara; Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon; This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel.

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Jordan Elist is the co-founder and Chief Tahdig Officer of Baaz Bites. He sits down with Ben to talk about developing a new food product (8:58), creative strategies to attract customers when testing the product at a local farmers market (27:32), securing a spot in the frozen food section of grocery stores & nationwide shipping within a year of the product’s launch (38:06), and more!

Current curiosities:

Zoe Marshall is a TV writer and serves on the Board of Directors for the Writers’ Guild of America West. She sits down with Ben to talk about the structure of an hour-long drama (13:58), her process for writing outlines and scripts (37:46), what she keeps in mind for writing samples (41:45), and more!

Current curiosities: